Morning journal and courier., 1887-05-30
THE NATIONAL DRILL.

WOMu0yS "oy oVs AcS's
 THE NATIONAL DRILL.
 The SarsheIds Home ToNisht-Excel-
 lent Company Drtlls-Attent1onf From Residents of the City-HOAOra to the SarsfeIds-The Military Re' ception and Escort To.NighI to the Company-An the City Companies ol the Second to Turn Out. Especial Correspondence of the JOURNAL AM CoUR1ERl
 WASHINGTON, D. O., May 28. The crowd of we'll dressed people that oc cupied the seats which extend nearly hal | way around the large drill grounds mus
 have delighted the managers of the nationa | drill and encampment. From o'clock yes terday morning until late in the aftel nool people were constantly arriving until thu | largest audience of the week was present There is seating capacity for fifteen thousand | persons.
 The first military company to appear be fore the judges was the Indianapolis Ligh 1 Infantry, who were good in the manual ane | only fair in their evolutions. Their firing was not equal to the standard of many wht
 had preceded them.
 The Jackson Rifles of Michigan made many breaks and errors and kept the judges busy giving them marks Their drilling was no as good as was expected from the1r reputa tion. which is frst-class.
 The Molineaux Rifles of Brooklyn, N. Y., looked beautiful in the distance, as theil white waist belts seemed one unbroken line as the men marched in single rank company front to the presence of the judges. Theil drilling was excellent.
 ,oxrAo fo oh to the judges was the Belknap Rifles of San Antonio, Texas. The company is handsome ly uniformed, which adds much to the ap' pearance of the drill. Their suits are blue, with white helmets having bright red feather plumes. Their execution of the first orders showed the audience that they were supe rier company. Their manual of arms, which was simply perfect, was loudly applauded Their marching and evolutions were as per feet as can be done under similar circum- stances. They were applauded to the echo, as they deserved to be. It must be borne in mind that the soldiers are put to the sever est test in their marching which has been practiced in armories on floors where the men have had the aid of drum to regulate their step, or if they have had no drum the noise made by their feet will regulate the step, while before the judges no drum is al lowed to guide the steps of the company un- der inspection, and the grass being soft gives no sound to aid the marching.
 The San Antonio Rifles. of Texas, were the next to appear. They are fine company and gave wonderfully perfect exhibition before the judges.
 Then came what was expected to be the event of the day-the celebrated Lomax Rifles, ot Mobile, Alabama. This company, which is favorably known in the South, has become still more celebrated during the week. They executed the orders with re- II T iai1 tainly are handsome lot of men in their white duck trousers, dark blue coats, light blue helmets with white gloves. The young ladies that are partial to brass buttons cer- tainly would be excused for falling in love with these fne-looking soldiers from the South.
 Some of the New Haven men who proba- ply knew but little of southern hospitality will go home with pleasing recollections of attentions received from the residents of Washington and other southern cities Men in uniforms receive more courtesy than strangers who are not in military suits Men who wear uniforms are welcome almost ev- anywhere. A young man who resides here met a small party of Sarshelds yesterday who were out sightseeing. He escorted them to the Capitol when he accompanied them throughout the building, showing them much attention and pointing out many attire eotions in the beautiful building, which was much appreciated by Sergeant Plunkett and Nc Kiernan. Reynolds, and others who composed the party. The Sarsfelds are the only com pany who have been escorted to camp on their arrival here.
 Following are the judges of the drill who are all officers of the regular army:
 Colonel H. M Black Twenty-third Infantry.
 Captain E. C. Woodruff, Twelfth Infantry:
 Captain J. T. Haskell, Twenty third Infantry.
 First Lieutenant c. Chase, Third Artillery.
 First Lieutenant F. A. Smith. Twelfth Infantry.
 First Lieuen enant ". O. Clark, Twelfth Infantry.
 The individual drill prizes were won as follows:
 First prize-T rivate H. G. Stack OF San Antonio
 Second prize-Sergeant Conrad of Company B, Washington Light Infantry
 Third prize-Sergeant J. R. Warner of Company A, Louisville.
 The trip has been memorable one for the Sarsfelds, who have added much to their military knowledge and have had many pleasures connected with the trip.
 TO ARRIVE HOME THIS EVENING.
 Captain Garrity stated that he expected to leave Washington early Monday morning and take the afternoon boat from New York, arriving in New Haven this evening.
 The banquet rendered the Sarsfelds by Col. J. G. Healy and members of his club on Saturday evening was grand affair.
 The Washington correspondent of the Hartford Times says: s'The Sarsfelds slipped up on marching. Their execution of the manual of arms was exceedingly creditable. If they had done as we'll in their competition drill as they did in their exhibition drill the evening before they would certainly have se- cured a company prize. Connecticut folks were disappointed in not seeing the Hillyer Guard of Hartford, who had talked strongly of coming"
 All the city companies of the Second have, in response to Major Lees circular, been ordered to parade tonight to receive and escort the Sarsields The Sarsfields will be given grand welcome home.